CNN Portugal confirms, Benfica want Modric's team-mate | OneFootball

Benfica have already identified one of their main targets to strengthen the heart of the defense. CNN Portugal reported that Josip Sutalo is the name chosen by the club’s hierarchy, as Glorioso 1904 had already announced, to make up for the departure of António Silva, who is very close to joining Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old Croatia international plays for Ajax and brings extensive top-level experience. Last season, he made 31 appearances for the Amsterdam club and, at the 2026 World Cup, he played every minute for Croatia, featuring in all four matches for the Balkan side, whose run ended against Portugal.

This is not, moreover, the first time that Sutalo has been linked with Portuguese football. Last summer, the defender was on Porto’s radar, but the Dragons ultimately pulled out of the deal due to Ajax’s high financial demands.

António Silva’s imminent departure makes the arrival of a new center-back at the Luz a priority. The Portugal international is very close to joining Bournemouth and, if the transfer is confirmed, the match against St. Gallen in the first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round will have been his last in a Benfica shirt.

The 22-year-old defender is expected to sign a five-year contract, keeping him tied to the Premier League club until June 2031. The No. 4 will be having the first experience of his career outside Portuguese football.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.